RIDING A SHARK. 127 



or sepia colored the water for several feet 

 around. 



Dick had read some terrible tales of the 

 power of the devil-fish, and as soon as he learned 

 what it was he hailed the boat. 



" Look out," he said to Tom, " he'll fasten on 

 to your legs." 



" Nonsense ! " the latter replied. " Let me 

 get a shot at it." 



Dick moved a little to one side, and putting 

 his spear down close to the writhing creature, 

 Tom drove it into him ; both then pushed at 

 the same time, and as a result the octopus gave 

 way, winding its arms around both spears. 

 With a jerk they lifted it, squirming and writh- 

 ing, into the air ; and as the Mosetta had now 

 reached them they tossed it in. 



" That is a fine specimen," said the doctor, 

 holding it down ; " but how will you get him off 

 the grains without tearing him all in pieces ? " 



" Give him a drink of alcohol," suggested 

 Dick, stirring the creature up with a stick. 



" A good idea," replied the doctor ; " just 

 hold him over this pail." 



